Mike Wilhelm and Hired Guns
Blue Wing Monday Blues: Monday, 22 February 2010, 6:30-9 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: By H. C. Anderson
Mike Wilhelm, Flamin' Groovies Photograph by Anthony Clark - http://www.flamin-groovy.com/
UPPER LAKE – Dubbing the band Hired Guns, Mike Wilhelm has assembled one of the heaviest lineups of veteran musicians ever heard at the Blue Wing Saloon & Cafe's Blue Monday series of dinner dance/concerts. The personnel are Mike "the Charlatan" Wilhelm, guitar/vocal; Barry "the Fish" Melton, guitar/vocal; John "Electric Flag" Beckwith, bass/vocal; Mark "Street Dog" Phillips, drums/vocal; James "Jimmy the Lion" Leonardis, tenor sax; plus special guests.
A virtuoso delta slide guitarist and fingerstyle blues player, Cold War era Navy veteran Mike Wilhelm is known as a founding member of the Charlatans, the first San Francisco ‘60s psychedelic rock group. The Charlatans were invited to play at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, OH in 1997. During the late ‘70s/early ‘80s he was lead guitarist with the cult heroes Flamin' Groovies who are considered by rock historians to be the fathers of Power Pop.
Barry Melton was the fiery lead guitarist in the ‘60s group Country Joe and the Fish who jumped into national prominence with their appearance in the film Woodstock. Since then he has toured under his own name in the U.S. and internationally. Somehow he also found the time to study law by correspondence course, pass the bar and practice law. Melton quips, "I'm an alumnus of Matchbook U." He recently retired as Yolo County Public Defender.
John Beckwith has played with Nick Gravenites and Electric Flag for the last 12 years and is considered by both musicians and critics to be one of the finest blues bassists on the scene today.
A native of London and a Gulf War U. S. Navy veteran, Mark Phillips was drummer with the Grateful Dead cover band Street Dogs as well as being an in-demand Bay Area recording session drummer. He is known as a "one take" player and is more than comfortable in the blues genre. He has played with Wilhelm's Bottle Rock band for more than a year.
Local organic farmer James Leonardis is also a talented jazz tenor saxophonist with a gorgeous tone whose solos always draw appreciative applause. Though he hasn't had a lot of experience playing Rhythm & Blues he seemed to fit right in with Wilhelm's Bottle Rock Blues & Rhythm Band when they last played the Blue Wing.
The band plays the Blue Wing from 6:30 until 9:00 Monday evening. The Blue Wing is located at 9520 Main St., Upper Lake. Reservations are recommended for parties of six or more. The telephone number is (707) 275-2233. For further information visit bluewingsaloon.com - For further information about Mike Wilhelm visit flyingsnail.com/Scrapbook/Mike_Wilhelm.html - For bookings call (707) 277-7912.
Friday, April 23, 2010, 8pm
Konocti Vista Casino
2755 Mission Rancheria Road, Lakeport, 95453-9612
Konocti Vista Casino Bar from 8 pm til midnight. Cost: free
Photo by H. C. Anderson. Mike Wilhelm, center flanked by Mark Phillips and Eric Roach
Mike Wilhelm & Hired Guns
Howdy all...Greetings from scenic Lake County, California.
Please note that our regular bass player John Beckwith is back with us having returned from a pocket tour with Nick Gravenites. Press release follows:
April 17, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Hired Guns: R&B and Rock 'n' Roll
By Alex Johns
LAKEPORT – Veteran blues/rock guitarist Mike Wilhelm plays Konocti Vista Casino's expanded Point Bar with his band Hired Guns this Friday from 8 pm until midnight. The recently formed band has already proven its ability to keep people boogying on the dance floor with its potent mix of Rhythm & Blues and Rock 'n' Roll spiced with harmony vocals.
Friday's line-up has Wilhelm on guitar and vocal; John Beckwith, bass; Mark “Street Dog” Phillips, drums and vocal; the smoky vocals of Kathie Kent; plus the honking sound of Jim “Jimmy the Lion” Leonardis on tenor sax.
Konocti Vista Casino is located at 2755 Mission Rancheria Road, Lakeport CA 95453. Further information is can be found at www.konocti-vista-casino.com. For information about Mike Wilhelm go to www.flyingsnail.com/Scrapbook/Mike_Wilhelm.html. For bookings call (707) 277-7912 or email guit_blue@yahoo.com.
Yours in music, Mike Wilhelm
"May the baby Jesus shut your mouth and open your mind." - Family Dog motto.
Mike Wilhelm & Hired Guns
Photograph by Richard Hoyt
Sunday, June 13, 2010 4:30 - 8:30 pm
Photograph by C. Spangler
Riviera Hills Restaurant, Lounge and Recreation Club
10200 Fairway Drive, Kelseyville, CA.
